New Member Shoutout: Meet Sarah Laird
Our Newest Instructor Provides a Peek into Her World.
There are many aspects of making that light Sarah Laird’s creative fire, but number one is working with dye and fabric. From her Artist Statement:
I use cloth and dye to explore the ways that all life is interconnected. Color plays a big part in what I make, and I like experimenting with all the ways I can put color into fabric. I create a personal spiritual practice by using repetition in the act of making and in the patterns I produce.
Sarah’s many other artistic passions include weaving, quilting, and embroidery. She shares her creations through her business, Noble Textiles, selling goods in select boutiques. She also shows her work on her website and via Noble Textile’s Instagram.
DIY Beginnings Turn to Lifelong Pursuit
Creativity is in Sarah’s blood. She nods to being raised with a “DIY mentality,” and after her mom helped her make her first quilt, it was all over.
“Every joy alarm bell inside me went off,” Sarah said.
Sarah pursued art in higher education, gaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the highly regarded (and much-missed) Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland. She’s received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Juror's Choice Award in Coastal Fiberarts, an Outstanding Student Award from the Surface Design Association, and being a finalist in the Niche Awards. She has shown and sold work at a variety of venues and shows in Oregon and Washington.
Discovering Past Lives Makerspace
After learning about Past Lives Makerspace on Instagram, Sarah jumped on board when she landed a work trade opportunity with the Textiles Guild. Her goal as a member is to share her knowledge and support fellow artists, which she’s done in part to date by leading Textile Guild orientations, including screen printing.
Sarah shared that a key benefit of being a Past Lives member is getting a glimpse into the strategies of other professional artists. “I’m so inspired to see all of the entrepreneurs and small business owners doing it solely on their own,” she said. “And also learning about their process, their work. This space is full of magnificent talent.” She’s noted she’s interested in resources to help her take her own business to the next level.
Coming Right Up: Take a Class with Sarah
Sarah will be sharing her expertise in two super-fun upcoming classes:
Make a Loom & Learn to Weave, where participants will learn a basic understanding of tapestry weaving concepts and can take their loom home to use again. Sign up for this 6/14 class, open to the public.
What’s Next?
Sarah’s future plans include creating a “Community Dye Pot” event at Past Lives, where people can bring their garments and fabrics to dye. She’s also creating a collaboration with the Garden Guild. Her hope is to grow indigo, marigolds, cosmos, or other sources of natural dye right there in the Past Lives garden space.
Professionally, a 14-year gig at Fyberworks Clothing Boutique has recently drawn to a close (due to the business closing). She’ll be busy with the occasional commissions (custom-dyed clothing, curtains, sheets, or duvet covers, anyone? Reach out to Sarah and learn more) and looks forward to launching a store on her website. And beyond that, she’s open, excited to see what the future brings next, and eager to explore more of the opportunities Past Lives has to offer.
Want to see some of Sarah’s dyed fabric work live and in person? Be sure to check out her Sunday, 6/29 Concept Community Market Pop Up, which will feature women-owned creative businesses from Oregon. Goods like essential oil blends and sprays, plant and gemstone jewelry, plus plant-dyed silks, and more will be available for purchase. Keep an eye on the Noble Textiles Instagram page for details.